Live-Metal.Net - Concert Reports - Children of Bodom

Recher Theatre
Towson, MD.
3/21/06

By GREG MAKI

Though they are on only their second headlining tour here, Finland’s Children of Bodom already has established themselves as a band American audiences know is going to put on one helluva live show. They demonstrated that at a recent stop at the Recher Theatre, where they played to a packed house of rabid fans.

Attempting to classify Bodom’s music is almost pointless. With elements of speed metal, death metal, punk and progressive rock, its influences come from a wide range of styles of heavy music. But even more than that, it’s the musicianship that makes Bodom such a memorable act. It starts with Alexi Laiho, one of the few players in the metal bands that have emerged in recent years who will go down as a bonafide guitar god. Small of stature, fond of eyeliner and painting his fingernails, he’s not physically imposing like Zakk Wylde, for example, but his guitar playing is no less ferocious, his solos no less blistering. Laiho’s vocals, which are somewhere between a scream and a growl with an occasional hint of melody, sometimes leave a little to be desired. But the band is good it’s hard to notice.

When Laiho cedes the spotlight, it’s most often to keyboardist Janne Warman. Though most European metal bands use keyboards, it’s usually to add mood and atmosphere. Warman’s playing is integral to every Bodom song. Like Laiho on the guitar, he is a true virtuoso whose solos – he sometimes trades off with Laiho; sometimes they play together – are something to behold.

Bodom began their set with “Are You Dead Yet?,” the title track of their latest CD. Its shout-along chorus made it the perfect opener. The next 80 minutes featured songs from all five of the band’s albums, though only two more from Are You Dead Yet?: “In Your Face” (a clear fan favorite) and “Living Dead Beat.” The fans ate it all up, and by the time Bodom left the stage with the Beastie Boys’ “Fight for Your Right” as their outro music, it was clear this band is about to explode this summer when they play arenas on Slayer’s Unholy Alliance tour.

The night began with death metal act Through the Eyes of the Dead. With nonstop blast-beating, growling vocals, thunderous bass and a relentless guitar attack, their sound is absolutely brutal. It’s all a bit too much for me, but if you’re into this sort of thing, this is a band you do not want to miss.

Chimaira, who somewhat quietly have become one of the leading American metal bands, provided direct support. They easily could have headlined, judging from the crowd reaction. Though Mark Hunter’s vocals will never be confused with singing, he delivers them in a growl that is much easier to digest than that of Through the Eyes of the Dead’s Anthony Gunnels. Similarly, the band is heavy but understands they can slow it down and build a song from a powerful riff instead of always pure speed. I can’t tell you much about the songs played, as I have only Chimaira’s latest self-titled release. I can say that their performance was one of the best I have seen recently.

So too was Children of Bodom’s. Firmly established in Europe, they are destined for superstardom in America as well.